Will Voice Recognition Software Replace Transcription?

Voice recognition software automates the process of transcription and is seen by some as time-saving as it can offer final finished reports in quick turnaround time. Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9, speech recognition software used for medical and legal transcription, even claims accuracy levels of up to 99%. However, many experienced transcriptionists do not see speech recognition software as ever replacing traditional transcription services. Here are the reasons why:

Take an interview recording. Voice recognition software can only recognize the voice it is trained to recognize. If you are conducting the interview, if would recognize your voice, but not that of the interviewee. Even a court stenographer usually finds it difficult to pick up the voice in an interview correctly. Things would be worse in the case of software.

The training of a voice recognition process is not that simple and is an ongoing process including continuous correction which takes time.

Contrary to expectations, the software does not save time. In a legal transcription company, for instance, the transcriptionist is focused on ensuring accuracy and therefore proofreads even as the typing is in progress. Professional companies perform a multi-level quality check before delivery to the client. However, though one can proofread while dictating, but little time is saved as proofreading cannot be done while re-speaking – you would have to listen carefully to the words and repeat them a few words later, even as the recording is continuously played.

Another drawback which could be highlighted is the lack of intelligence of the software when it comes to recognizing correct homonyms such as here or hear, there or their, too or two. This demands very careful proofreading which is sure to consume a lot of additional time.

Unlike the use of keyboard shortcut keys, the software allows you to just speak out commands to underline or make a word bold. However, you need to be careful enough to leave sufficient space in between in order for the software to distinguish it from general dictation.

In conclusion, you could safely say that a smart transcriber can deliver just as fast documentation and with higher accuracy levels than any type of advanced voice recognition software. Replacing human transcription skills is something that can take a very long time.